The One Health Marker All Women Should Pay Attention To

Why is iron so important?

Iron plays an essential role in the body, helping to transport oxygen from head to toe as part of haemoglobin, the protein found in red blood cells. When iron levels are low, your body can struggle to function as efficiently as it should and the deficiency can lead to anaemia. For women who have periods, iron levels are worth paying attention to as heavy periods can increase the likelihood of an iron deficiency forming. But because symptoms can be subtle – think tiredness, headaches or shortness of breath – it’s not always obvious when something is out of balance.

What is ‘ferritin face’?

If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you may have come across the term ‘ferritin face’, a phrase that suggests that low ferritin – a protein that reflects the body’s iron stores – might be linked to visible changes like pale or dull-looking skin and dark circles under the eyes. Though these can be symptoms of an iron deficiency, your appearance alone can’t tell you what your levels are, and dark circles or changes in skin tone can have many different causes. Equally, looking healthy doesn’t necessarily mean things are where they should be. In fact new research from Randox Health showed that of the women that had iron deficiencies, 52% of those reported no symptoms at all.

Why is information key?

Rather than relying on social media trends to self-diagnose, it’s worth starting with a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your body – particularly if you’re considering taking iron supplements because you feel tired or suspect your levels may be low. Iron can be beneficial when you need it but taking it unnecessarily can cause side effects, while excessive amounts can be harmful. 

Understanding your levels first can help you make more informed decisions about whether dietary changes, supplementation or further medical advice might be appropriate. And you don’t have to wait until something feels wrong to take an interest in your health. Knowing more about your health markers can be a useful way to take a proactive approach to your overall wellbeing.